Would you like fries with your kebab? -Turkish fries that is...

Couple creates very appealing dining concept with Americas first kebab lounge.

Walnut Creek, CA, August 21, 2002 - Take skewers of Prime USDA meats, fresh Atlantic Salmon, and Tiger Prawns, marinade them in spices imported from Turkey, grill them over apple-wood and what do you get? A rush of exotic flavors melting in your mouth! Ephesus-kebab lounge has only been open a week and already people from around the San Francisco Bay Area are battling traffic to check out this hidden treasure in Walnut Creek, CA. I tried to recreate the experience of kebab restaurants back home in Istanbul", says owner and operator Hakki Göksever. One way of accomplishing this is by greeting each table with a large tray of small Turkish Mediterranean dishes for guests to choose and start eating right away. Some of the more popular dishes are the Shepherds salad, Roasted Eggplant salad, Turkish fries, and Rolled Börek (fried Turkish pastries filled with spiced beef and lamb). The cuisine is flavorful, light and very healthy. Camille Göksever, Hakkis American wife and business partner lived on this food while pregnant with their son Salem. He was born 11lbs. 4oz.!

The spices are not the only Turkish import. Camille and Hakki filled a shipping container with tables and chairs, dishes, and artwork and had it shipped from Turkey. People are amazed at the quality of our furniture," says Camille, especially since we are a small family owned restaurant. Theyre used to experiencing that level of quality in four star restaurants in San Francisco." The professionalism and service at Ephesus is also comparable to four star restaurants, if not better. You wont find any attitude in this crowd; each server is gracious, warm, and eager to please.

Probably the most important thing Ephesus does, besides serving up fabulous tasting kebabs, is educate guests about Turkey and what Ephesus really is. Not many people know that Ephesus is an ancient Roman city located in Western Turkey (not far from the Mediterranean). It is home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World (the Temple of Artemis), it is the final resting place of the Virgin Mary, and it was a hot vacation spot for Cleopatra and Antony. Camille designed small, neatly bound pamphlets for guests to take home that informs them about Ephesus, Turkey.

Camille and Hakki have been refining the Ephesus concept for the past year and now their dream of owning a restaurant has finally materialized. Our business plan was the largest part of our success," Camille said, it opened doors for us while applying for SBA loans, looking for locations, and negotiating terms. People took us a lot more seriously after seeing our business plan. It was a thesis!" Other factors to their success? Hard work and determination. I figure if Hakki and I can do everything we did in one year; get married, buy a house, have a baby, and open a restaurant while working two full-time jobs, then anyone can get out there and accomplish their dreams. Life is really too short not to be doing what you love to do, no matter what your present circumstances are. I feel like were a small piece of true Americana...were a young couple trying to make a better life for ourselves and our family by doing what we love-having people over for dinner every night of the week.